Inspiring resistance

"University students continued their studies as usual, citizens mentioned nothing, many regarding the movement as anti-national."-Carmelo Lisciotto

The White Rose hoped that their actions and deaths would cause revolts and resistance to Hitler and the Nazis, but unfortunately there wasn't really much of a response until after the war. Not everyone responded in this way, though, as throughout the town after their deaths graffiti appeared on walls that stated “Their spirit lives.” Eventually, copies of the sixth leaflet were smuggled out of Germany and were later copied by the Allies and dropped by the thousands over Germany. While the actions of the White Rose may not have taken down the Nazis or ended World War II, they still had a definite impact on the people of Germany.

Despite the White Rose being an unsuccessful group while the Scholls were still alive, they grew from a group of three students to 300 students within Munich and other German cities. Hans’ friend started another rebellious group in Berlin, and more groups were being formed in Hamburg and Freiburg due to the leaflets being spread there. George Wittenstein even had some involvement in a similar group, the Bavarian Action for Freedom, and this group successfully prevented Hitler from destroying Munich.

Although the Scholls weren't successful during their lifetime, they were the first to inspire a chain of resistance within Nazi Germany. They gave German citizens the extra push to fight for what they needed.

"Their spirit lives." -Anonymous

"For those who were still trying to resist Hitler, the words in the leaflets and the story of the young people who had paid the ultimate price for those words gave them courage and hope.”- Kathryn Atwood_